English Bookies Like Ballesteros

LONDON — Britain's legal bookmakers are not buying the notion that this is the year of the old geezers in major golf championships.

Quoting opening odds Monday for next week's British Open at Turnberry, the books made U.S. Open champ Ray Floyd a 20-1 shot and relegated Masters champion Jack Nicklaus to even longer odds at 25-1.

Dashing young Spaniard Seve Ballesteros was established as the early betting favorite at 5-1, followed by Tom Watson at 10-1 and Greg Norman and Bernhard Langer at 12-1. Andy Bean and defending champ Sandy Lyle each were posted at 25-1.

An interesting bet down the list might be Orlando's Payne Stewart, who opened at a tempting 33-1 despite the fact he has played his way to the best cumulative record in major championships during the past year.

On golf wagers, British betting houses return full odds on the winner and one-fourth odds for players finishing in the top four.